HOUSTON — After allowing a combined 14 first-inning runs in their last four losses, the Houston Astros were determined to get out of the opening inning on Sunday without falling behind.

Jordan Lyles let them do just that, keeping the Reds hitless until the third and going seven strong innings to lead the Astros to a 5-3 win over Cincinnati.

Justin Maxwell had a two-run homer to help the Astros snap a season-worst eight-game skid.

“It’s not easy (when you) give another major league team a three or four spot in the first inning,” Lyles said. “I had to really bear down from the get-go and not try to hold anything back or save anything. My main focus was to get through that first inning.”

Zack Cozart hit a two-run homer off Lyles in the third inning, but the Reds couldn’t get anything else going against the 21 year old.

He allowed five hits and struck out three in his longest start of the year. It’s the first win of the season for Lyles (1-1) and his first since last Aug. 20.

“What an effort from Jordan Lyles. That was absolutely outstanding,” Houston manager Brad Mills said. “He came right out and shut that down and started making pitches right away.”

He has made five starts for Houston, but spent most of the season in Triple-A. Brett Myers pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 13th save.

Mills said Lyles will remain with the team and become a regular part of the rotation. He hopes that will help him improve.

■ Braves 3, Nationals 2

WASHINGTON — Tommy Hanson shook off an agonizing start to outpitch Gio Gonzalez, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 Sunday to end a six-game skid against their NL East rivals.

Hanson (6-4) gave up homers to the first two batters he faced, with Steve Lombardozzi and Bryce Harper connecting on consecutive pitches. They became the first pair of rookies in modern baseball history to homer in succession leading off a game, the Nationals said in citing the Elias Sports Bureau.

■ Mets 6, Cardinals 1

NEW YORK — Jonathon Niese struck out a career-high 10 in six scoreless innings and the Mets shut down the slumping Cardinals for the third straight game, getting a homer and three RBIs from rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis.

■ Giants 2, Cubs 0

SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Zito pitched 8 1-3 scoreless innings for his 150th career win and Joaquin Arias snapped an 18 at-bat hitless stretch with an RBI single that led the San Francisco Giants over the Chicago Cubs.

■ Marlins 5, Phillies 1

PHILADELPHIA — Carlos Zambrano homered and pitched into the eighth inning, and Hanley Ramirez went deep, too, to lead the Miami Marlins over Philadelphia.

■ Diamondbacks 6

Padres 0

SAN DIEGO — Trevor Cahill threw a six-hitter and Paul Goldschmidt, Miguel Montero and Gerardo Parra homered to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks past San Diego.